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by sunbright57
London Stone, Camden, Greater London
London Stone (Photo Credit: Wikipedia)
Os grid reference: TQ 3267 8090. Hidden-away in a recess at the front of what was the Bank of China on Canning Street, Camden, London, close to the Cannon Street Underground Station, is the so-called London Stone, a relic perhaps of Roman Londinium. Sometimes also called 'the Brutus Stone' or 'Britto Stone' after the Celtic leader of the same name who was hailed as king of what would become London, according to The Legend. It is actually a squat round-shaped stone that is now much diminished in size and which may, in fact, have been a 15th century boundary stone? The stone's location is close to the corner of St Swithins Lane and nearly opposite Bush Lane. St Paul's Cathedral is 1 mile to the west while the river Thames and London Bridge are about a quarter of a mile to the south of Canning Street.
London Stone and its former stone surround (Photo Credit: Wikipedia)
At the front of the W.H.Smith building at no.111 Canning Street in a specially designed stone recess stands the curious 'London Stone', a round-shaped stone that could be part of a Roman altar that was dedicated to the goddess, Diana, so says Geoffrey Ash in his great work 'Mythology Of The British Isles'. It was apparently set-up by Brutus, grandson of Aeneas of Troy, a self-styled king of what would become "London". Brutus is said to have had a palace on the site of the present Guildhall about 1 mile to the south-west, beside the river Thames. The stone is 1 foot 5 inches high by 1 foot 9 inches wide and is made of Limestone that was quarried in Rutland, though it has been suggested that it is Bath stone? It sits securely behind a decorative iron grill, fronted by a very nicely-carved outer recess made of Portland stone, at the top of which there is an information plaque; the inner recess is surrounded by thick glass for extra security.
The stone originally stood at the north-side of Canning Street – where it was set into a niche in the south wall of St Swithin's Church, close to the Mansion House, according to Janet & Colin Bord 'Mysterious Britain'. St Swithin's church was demolished after it suffered from being bombed during the 2nd World War; the stone was moved to the Guildhall museum, then eventually to its present site in Canning Street.
According to documentary evidence the stone was in existence in 1100 and 1188, and in the 16th century it was mentioned again by the antiquary John Stow, who was to describe it as: "a great stone called London Stone, fixed in the ground very deep, fastened with bars of iron, and otherwise so stronglie set that if carts do runne against it through negligense the wheeles be broken, and the stone itself unshaken". In the work 'Mysterious Britain' the Bords say that: "Although there is no tradition of it being used as a stone of initiation, the London Stone is of great intiquity and was held in veneration by the citizens who would make binding pacts across it and issue proclamations from it".
It would appear, therefore, that over many hundreds of years folk, maybe travellers and pilgrims, have been chipping away and breaking pieces off the London Stone to take away as a relic in case it possessed some sort of magical healing power – it may well have done so – and if that be the case it would have originally been a much bigger block of stone, maybe even some sort of pagan altar in the time of the Romans, or maybe from ancient Britain, long before the Romans ever came to Britain but, Brutus who was a Celtic leader – had set his eyes on our shorline! If he did ever come to Britain and reside at London, then it would have been roughly 1100 BC?
The author James MacKillop says in his 'great tome' 'Dictionary Of Celtic Mythology' says that Brutus was a progenitor of the British people. He was leader of the Trojans and had "dreams" of the Temple of Diana beyond the setting sun. After invading the island [Britain] he defeats the mythical giant Gogmagog and then establishes law upon the land named for him – Britain (Prydain). But actually Gogmagog was killed by being hurled over a cliff by another giant called Corineus of Cornwall who was a champion wrestler of great strength and valor – Reader's Digest 'Folklore Myths and Legends of Britain'. Very gruesome-looking stone effigies of Gogmagog and Corineus stand inside the Guildhall in King Street. Geoffrey of Monmouth mentions the legend of Brutus and the giants in his work 'History of the Kings of Britain' (1136). More likely than not London Stone was a 'Milliarium', a stone that was used to measure road distances in both Roman times, and long after that. And there is the famous saying: 'So long as the Brutus Stone is safe, so long shall London flourish'.
Ash, Geoffrey., Mythology Of The British Isles, Methuen, London, 1993.
Bord, Janet & Colin., Mysterious Britain, Paladin (Granada Publishing), London, 1984.
MacKillop, James., Dictionary Of Celtic Britain, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1998.
Photo Credits: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Stone
Reader's Digest, Folklore Myths and Legends of Britain, ( Second Edition), Reader's Digest Association Limited, London, 1977.
The Megalithic Portal: http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=8349
Categories: Misc Subjects, Roman Sites, Standing Stone | Tags: London Stone at Camden in Greater London, London Stone on Canning Street in London | Permalink.
Winter Hill Stone, Keighley Moor, West Yorkshire
Winter Hill Stone, Keighley Moor.
Os grid reference: SD 9828 4197. Upon Keighley moor (western side) and overlooking Cowling stands the Winter Hill Stone, a large weather-beaten boulder that has many faint cup-marks at its base and others on top. The stone lies some 630 yards to the north-west of Hitching Stone, on the Yorkshire-Lancashire border, which is a huge block of gritstone. It is from Winter Hill Stone that the winter soltice sunrise can be seen, so obviously a place
Cup-Marks on Winter Hill Stone.
of great reverence in pre-historic times; the cup-marks being carved in the Bronze Age. To get to this stone it is "best" to follow the footpath opposite the small carpark, on Buck Stone lane, close to Wainman's Pinnicle, then head in the general direction of the Hitching Stone, but after some 460 yards (at the little wooden gate) veer off to the south-west and, a further 380 yards brings you to Winter Hill Stone, close to the western edge of the moor overlooking the hamlet of Over Dean. The village of Cowling is 2 miles to the west and Cross Hills a further 4 miles north along the A6068 road.
Winter Hill Stone (Top).
This large rounded, weather-worn stone is quite prominent upon the flat-shaped Winter Hill, but sadly the cup-markings around the stone's base are now much less prominent – indeed some of them are barely legible to the eye. There are at least 17 tiny cup-marks that are eligible, the rest are very faint, but on the top of the stone more cup-marks are quite well-defined, indeed over time they have become deeper and wider due to the constant weathering; the strange grooves and ruts are also the result of erosion to the soft gritstone. The hill on which the boulder stands is 'so named' because the winter sun can be seen to rise from [here] behind the Hitching Stone over to the north-west. There are many, many other boulders and stones littering the moor, one or two also look as if they "might" have very faint cup-marks on them. In particular, a boulder some 380 yards to the south-west of Winter Hill, looks a likely candidate. It is highly likely that there were ancient settlements somewhere on the moor, but obviously these are now hidden beneath the thick, dense carpet of ferns and heather which seem so relentlessly to have taken over.
The author Paul Bennett in his epic work 'The Old Stones of Elmet' says: "Although there are some cups higher up the rock, oddly the majority are just above ground level. This makes little sense until one realises, thanks to its name, that the winter soltice sunrise was observed from here rising up behind the gigantic Hitching Stone on the near skyline."
Hitching Stone.
The Hitching Stone (Os grid ref: SD 9866 4170) is a huge glacial erratic block of gritstone the size of a small house that was deposited here at the last Ice Age. It reputedly weighs over 1,000 tonnes. Large fissures run vertically through the rock, one of which was caused by a fossilised tree that has worn away; while one side of the rock bears a large oblong-shaped hole that people climb into. There are some Victorian inscriptions on the stone while at the top a deep natural basin containing rain-water that is never known to dry-up, even in long dry spells of weather. Long ago local folk visited the stone in order to participate in various games, and the site was also a meeting place for local councils and parliaments – Bennett 'The Old Stones of Elmet.' The Hitching Stone stands on the Yorkshire-Lancashire boundary.
And in the interesting little book 'The Pendle Zodiac' by Thomas Sharpe we are told that the Vernal Equinox sunrise behind the Hitching Stone is in alignment with Pendle Hill. Sharp goes on to say: "Where natural markers (and even some of these have pecked 'cup and ring' markings) are absent, the ancestors would have incorporated standing stone monoliths to time the alignments and to receive into the landscape, etheric vitality from the luminaries." Pendle Hill beacon is roughly 14 miles, as the crow flies, to the south-west of Winter Hill Stone and Hitching Stone.
These large gritstone boulders on Keighley Moor were laid-down thousands of years ago at the last Ice Age by a massive glacier moving southwards, and retreating as it did so. Over time the boulders (erratics) themselves are slowly weathering-away due to the often wet, windy climate upon the moor. Nowadays, however, these strange, often round-shaped boulders and stones have become waymarkers and sentinels that seem to loom-up on the barren, unforgiving landscape, taking one by sudden surprise!
Bennett, Paul., The Old Stones of Elmet, Capall Bann Publishing, Milverton, Somerset, 2001.
Sharpe, Thomas., The Pendle Zodiac, Spirit Of Pendle Publishing, 2012.
http://davidraven-uk.blogspot.co.uk/
Categories: Cup-And-Ring Markings, Glacial Erratic | Tags: Hitching Stone on Keighley Moor in West Yorkshire, Winter Hill Stone on Keighley Moor in West Yorkshire | Permalink.
by sunbright57	1 Comment
Ballycrovane Ogham Stone, Co. Cork, Southern Ireland
Ballycrovane Ogham Stone (Photo credit: Peter Ribbans – Geograph)
Irish grid ref: V 6569 5291. On the windswept headland to the south of Lough Fadda, at the far-western point of County Cork, Southern Ireland, stands the ancient monument which is known as Ballycrovane Ogham Stone, a very tall standing stone (menhir) which has an Ogham inscription carved on its edge. But this tall, thin pillar-stone pre-dates the Ogham inscription by over two-thousand years – back to the Bronze-Age, at least. The ancient standing stone is located in a field on the top of the hill overlooking the harbour at the south-side of Kenmare Bay – at Ballycrovane on the Beara Peninsula (Ring of Beara) – a few hundred-yards south-east of the 'Faunkill and the Woods' road and the little coastguard station, then with 'possible' access through the farmyard*. Ballycrovane is 2 miles to the south-west of Ardgroom village and the R571 road; the village of Eyeries being a further 2 miles to the south-east. [*The stone is on private farmland, so you "might" have to pay a small fee to visit the monument!]
Ballycrovane Ogham Stone is said to be 'the tallest Ogham stone in Ireland' and probably in Europe, for that matter. It stands at a very impressive 17 feet (5.3 metres) and is said to be several feet below ground, but it is only a very slender pillar-slab and it tapers slowly away to the top. At the eastern edge there is an Ogham inscription which is becoming difficult to see because of weathering. This stone was obviously erected here during the Bronze-Age, with the notches being carved onto it in more recent times, probably during the 3rd-5th centuries AD. The inscription is now thought to recall someone called Deich and Toranus – the full Latin translation being: MAQI DECCEDDAS AVI TURANIAS which would be 'Of the son of Deich a descendant of Torainn', but could the inscription in fact be a kind of dedication or memorial to the Deisi – the ancient tribe that inhabited Ireland – during the 3rd-4th centuries AD? We may never know that question.
Ogham was the ancient (Goidelic) language of the Celts who inhabited the western fringes of Britain in pre-Roman times, but it was still being used by the ancient Britons up until the 5th-7th centuries AD – the so-called Dark Ages, at which time many Ogham memorial stones were Christianized with a carved cross. The script consisted of a series of short notches or strokes, carved vertically and also slanting on the edges of grave-covers and some standing stones, similar in fact to the wording and epitaphs that we see on gravestones in churchyards today. Antiquarians and historians in this particular field have now been able to translate, in Latin form, these usually short inscriptions by following the Ogham script alphabet, the key to which was in the 14th century Book of Ballymote.
The author James MacKillop in his work 'Dictionary of Celtic Mythology' says of the Ogham language: "The earliest form of writing in Irish in which the Latin alphabet is adapted to a series of twenty 'letters' of straight lines and notches carved on the edge of a piece of stone or wood. Letters are divided into four categories of five sounds." MacKillop goes on to say: "Ogham inscriptions date primarily from the 4th to 8th centuries and are found mainly on standing stones; evidence for inscriptions on wood exists, but examples do not survive. The greatest concentration of surviving Ogham inscriptions is in southern Ireland; a 1945 survey found 12 in Kerry and 80 in Co. Cork, while others are scattered throughout Ireland, Great Britain, and the Isle of Man, with five in Cornwall, about thirty in Scotland, mainly in 'Pictish' areas, and more than forty in Wales. South Wales was an area of extensive settlement from southern Ireland , including the migration of the Deisi."
Dictionary of Celtic Mythology, Oxford University Press, New York, 1998.
Photo copyright: http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/507477
© Copyright Peter Ribbans and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
Reader's Digest., Illustrated Guide to Ireland, The Reader's Digest Association Limited, London, 1992.
Scherman, Katherine., The Flowering Of Ireland, Victor Gollancz Ltd., London, 1981.
The Megalithic Portal: http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=12
Categories: Inscribed Stones, Ogham Inscription | Tags: Ballycrovane Ogham Stone in Co. Cork in Southern Ireland | Permalink.
Dupplin Cross, Dunning, Perth And Kinross, Scotland
Duppling Cross (originally at Cross Park Field, Forteviot)
Os grid reference: NO 0190 1448. This very splendidly carved free-standing cross which is known as Dupplin Cross, has in recent years been re-housed inside the ancient church of St Serf at Dunning in the Strathearn region, Perth & Kinross, for safety's sake as it originally stood on a hill at Cross Park Field near Bankhead Farm 1 mile to the north of Forteviot, Perth & Kinross (Os grid ref: NO 0505 1896). Forteviot was one of the Pictish 'royal' capitals and a palace is said to have been built there. The Dupplin cross is, infact, a Class III Pictish stone – the shaft displaying human figures and a Latin inscription – while the head of the cross has Celtic-style decoration. And also in the church there is a Pictish cross-slab and also a Viking (hogback) tombstone. The early 13th century church of St Serf (Servanus) is located in the centre of the village of Dunning some 3 miles south of Forteviot, 3 miles south-east of the A9, and 7 miles south-west of Perth.
Dupplin Cross (front & east side) by J. Romilly Allen.
The cross is made of local hard sandstone and is 8 foot 6 inches high and 3 foot wide across its arms, and it is said to date from about 900 AD, so quite late for a Pictish stone. It is a Class III Pictish cross, but it does not have any symbols as such, although there are numerous warrior-like figures and also Biblical characters as well as ornate decoration described as being 'Celtic' in style. On the front face of the cross roll moulding and little spirals at intervals on the arms – with a raised circular boss at the centre which, according to the very detailed work 'Symbolism Of The Celtic Cross' by Derek Bryce, is "decorated with what appear to be solar radiations, symbols of Divine light"; the boss itself having a tiny cross on it. The shaft (front side) has three panels, one of which is now known to have a Latin inscription recalling the Pictish King Custantin, son of Wuirgust (Constantine Mac Fergus), the other two depict birds with crossed and interlinking beaks and legs surrounding a raised boss of interlacing and, David (from The Old Testament) tending the lion's paw, with two more animals at the side.
The opposite cross-face has roll moulding, but the decoration in the boss is damaged, and the arms have scrollwork and key-patterning at the top. Both edges of the cross have interesting carvings – that at the left side has three panels (top) and three more on the shaft (lower) with a beast biting its tail, a man probably David seated playing a large harp, and cord-plait work. The right edge (top) has four panels of interlacing and three more on the shaft (lower) with two dogs sitting on their haunches with paws touching, two warriors on foot with sheilds and spears, and knotwork. The opposite shaft face has three panels showing a warrior on horseback, four warriors on foot holding shields and spears, a hound leaping on another animal which is perhaps a hind, and key-patterning seperating it all, according to Elizabeth Sutherland's very thorough work 'The Pictish Guide'.
Also in St Serf's church is a Pictish Class III sandstone cross-slab of the 10th century? This has a broad-type Wheel or ring cross in high relief which is 3 foot 10 inches high. This slab was dug up from beneath the floor under the church tower about 1900. The cross at the top is, rather oddly, repeated lower down the slab but only about half of it has been carved; the sides of the slab have typical Celtic interlacing, now rather worn. And a tombstone of the 10th or 11th century is thought to be a Viking hogback. This has a cross carved upon its front-side and cable moulding at its border.
St Serf or Servanus, patron of Dunning Church, founded a monastic school at Culross, Fife, in the early 6th century. Traditionally, he baptised and tutored St Kentigern (Mungo); and is perhaps wrongly acredited with the title: Apostle of Fife. He died in 560 or 580 and his feast-day is usually held on 1st July.
Bryce, Derek., Symbolism Of The Celtic Cross, Llanerch Enterprises, Felinfach, Lampeter, Wales, 1989.
Jackson, Anthony., The Pictish Trail, The Orkney Press Ltd., St Ola, Kirkwall, Orkney, 1989.
Sutherland, Elizabeth., The Pictish Guide, Birlinn Limited, Edinburgh, Scotland, 1997.
Categories: Ancient Crosses, Pictish Symbol Stone | Tags: Dupplin Cross at Dunning in Perth & Kinross, Dupplin Cross at Dunning in Scotland | Permalink.


Forbidden Root, Chicago's botanic brewery and restaurant, will release Fernetic, a first-ever collaboration with the producers of Fernet-Branca on January 19.
With help from the Branca family, the Forbidden Root team deconstructed the Italian digestif and reconstructed the family recipe into a craft beer for Amaro and beer lovers alike.
At 8.4%, Fernetic is a spicy beer made from ingredients such as rhubarb root, saffron and wormwood, the company says, among the selected botanics of the 27 herbs and spices found in Fernet-Branca. Hints of coffee and peppermint are on the nose, and a soft roastiness in its dark-colored finish. Bitter notes build to a spicy, creamy middle and dry woody finish, the company reports.
Fernetic will be released at Forbidden Root's West Town location on January 19, at 6 p.m. Admission to the party is free but attendees must register here and be of legal drinking age. The event will give attendees an opportunity to taste the collaboration brew, taste Fernet-Branca-inspired bites, and meet the makers of Fernetic.
Fernetic will be available on draft and 22-ounce bottles, dipped in black wax, will be available on a very limited basis for $14.99 per 750-ml. bottle.


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California's Proposition 22 Is The Most Expensive Ballot Measure In State History. The Result Could Affect A Biden Presidency
Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images
Thomas Catenacci Reporter
California's ballot measure Proposition 22 would exempt app-based drivers, including Uber drivers, from the 2019 legislation Assembly Bill 5, which broadened the definition for who is an employee and has been criticized for unfairly targeting freelancers.
Uber, Lyft and Doordash have led the support for the measure and have contributed hundreds of millions of dollars into the effort making it the most expensive state measure in California history, according to Politico.
"They are trying to buy their own law, so they can keep exploiting their workers for profit," Mike Roth, spokesperson for No On Prop. 22, told The Daily Caller News Foundation.
California's ballot measure that would exempt gig companies from a recently-enacted labor law is the most expensive measure in state history and, depending on the result, could indicate how a Joe Biden administration would legislate.
If successful, Proposition 22 would exempt app-based drivers and workers from California's Assembly Bill 5 (AB5) and classify them as freelancers, not employees, according to Ballotpedia. AB5 went into effect in January, months after Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom signed it into law in September 2019, CNBC reported.
"Assembly Bill 5 is landmark legislation for workers and our economy," Newsom said in a statement after he signed the bill. (RELATED: Man Punches Uber Driver Over Mask Policy)
"It will help reduce worker misclassification — workers being wrongly classified as 'independent contractors,' rather than employees, which erodes basic worker protections like the minimum wage, paid sick days and health insurance benefits," he continued.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gavin Newsom speaks in 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
The legislation broadened the so-called "ABC" test, which is used to determine if a worker is legally a freelancer or not, making the test applicable to several million more workers, according to The San Diego Tribune. The broadened test effectively forced companies like Uber, Lyft and Doordash to reclassify drivers as employees.
Altogether, the big app-based tech companies have poured hundreds of millions of dollars into exempting their drivers from AB5 via Proposition 22, making the measure the most expensive in state history, according to Politico. The companies raised the money to get Proposition 22, which they wrote, on the 2020 ballot, The Los Angeles Times reported.
"Drivers have consistently said they want to remain independent contractors instead of becoming employees by a four-to-one margin," Lyft said in a statement to The Daily Caller News Foundation. "That's why Lyft is fighting to provide drivers independence plus benefits with Prop. 22 in California." (RELATED: Union Boss Sentenced For Ordering Attack On Workers Who Refused To Join Union)
A September poll found that 51% of Californians supported Proposition 22 while 40% opposed it, according to SF Gate.
Lyft, Uber, Doordash and other tech companies have contributed more than $190 million into ensuring Proposition 22 succeeds, according to state filings.
A pedestrian walks by Uber headquarters in San Francisco, California. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
"They are trying to buy their own law, so they can keep exploiting their workers for profit," Mike Roth, spokesperson for No On Prop. 22, told the DCNF.
"If you look closely at the measure, all it does is let the companies lower wages, weaken the labor laws that are designed to protect drivers and it will permanently lock drivers into low wage jobs," Roth added.
No On Prop. 22 is funded by labor groups including the California Labor Federation, American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, Service Employees International Union and International Brotherhood of Teamsters. These organizations have dropped more than $16 million into the effort to stop Prop 22, state filings showed.
However, AB5 has also affected many freelance industries beyond app-based companies, according to Karen Anderson, a freelance writer and photographer who founded Freelancers Against AB5, a Facebook group with 19,000 members. These industries wouldn't be exempted from the law if Proposition 22 were to succeed.
"We've identified at least 400 categories of professions, occupations, trades, and industries that have been impacted by AB5," Anderson told The DCNF. "It's a ruse that AB5 is meant to protect just the low wage worker. It's not at all. It's meant to control the entire independent workforce across the board." (RELATED: EXCLUSIVE: Trump Administration Sends Rare Warning To Two Major Labor Unions)
"In January, people started pouring onto my page sharing their stories from across the vast swath of professions in the state," Anderson said.
App-based drivers from Uber and Lyft protest in a caravan in front of City Hall in Los Angeles on Oct. 22. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images)
Real estate appraisers, professional Santa Clauses, wedding photographers, executive recruiters and pharmacists were some of the many professions that Anderson heard from. California's independent filmmaking industry and freelance journalists were particularly hit hard, she said.
AB5 is a "threat" to the livelihoods of journalists and authors, according to Jonathan Kirsch, an attorney specializing in publishing law. Kirsch's January article was published by The Authors Guild, a national organization for writers.
The law has already "wreaked havoc" on the independent film industry, according to Lindsay Spiller, the founder of entertainment law firm Spiller Law. (RELATED: Union Members Are Supporting Donald Trump Despite Unions Endorsing Joe Biden)
Further, the Institute for the American Worker (IAW) has published several stories of freelancers who oppose AB5. They include a freelance translator, nurse educator, actor, architectural designer and a face painting artist.
"Lilly went from routinely entertaining at corporate family events and ski resorts—large-scale events where she would subcontract with six other artists—to struggling to book jobs," an IAW report on face painting artist Lilly Walters said.
Uber driver Sergei Fyodorov discusses why he supports a "yes" vote on Proposition 22 in Oakland, California on Oct. 9, 2020. (Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images)
When asked about No On Prop 22's support for AB5 and its potential effect on freelancers in California, Roth reiterated that the organization is focused on Proposition 22 right now.
"I am squarely focused on Prop. 22," Roth told the DCNF. "If Prop. 22 passes, it will not help one freelance photographer, it will not help one freelance writer. This is a measure that was written by the app companies, and it will only apply to these companies."
But, leaders opposed to AB5 see Proposition 22 as an important stepping stone to eliminating the entire law, Anderson said. (RELATED: Philadelphia Firefighters Union Upholds Trump Endorsement After Overwhelming Internal Vote)
"If Prop. 22 passes, it drives a stake through the heart of of AB5, it blows a huge hole into it," Anderson told the DCNF. "It would pave the way for being able to dismantle the law."
Since AB5 was written to specifically target app-based companies, Proposition 22 succeeding would clear the way for either a court to strike AB5 down or for a 2022 ballot measure proposing to eliminate it, Anderson said. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals is currently reviewing a lawsuit, which asks the state to exempt truckers from AB5, Reuters reported.
Unions are heavily invested in ensuring the failure of Proposition 22 because their membership has been declining, according to Charlyce Bozzello, communications director for labor union watchdog group The Center for Union Facts. California union membership, which had been declining before the coronavirus pandemic, accelerated its decline after the virus' outbreak, The Sacramento Bee reported.
UFCW president Marc Perrone greets former Vice President Joe Biden at the union's 2020 presidential candidate forum in Altoona, Iowa. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
"Unions have every incentive for gig workers be classified as employees," Bozzello told the DCNF. "That way, they're easier to organize."
An October Center for Union Facts report uncovered the close financial ties between anti-Proposition 22 group Gig Workers Collective and the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW). The Gig Workers Collective brands itself as a "worker-led gig economy advocacy group."
"They're trying to make up that membership. But, they're not having a lot of success getting a foothold in the traditional industries that they would be organizing," Bozzello said. "So they need to get creative, they need to go somewhere else to survive. They've been looking toward the gig economy."
Meanwhile, Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and his running mate Sen. Kamala Harris have both endorsed AB5 and opposed Proposition 22.
Last year California passed #AB5, affording gig workers protections and benefits like a minimum wage and overtime pay.
Now, gig economy giants are trying to gut the law and exempt their workers. It's unacceptable.
I urge Californians to vote no on the initiative this November.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) May 27, 2020
In February, the House passed the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, which would implement similar regulations, including the "ABC" test, as were in AB5, according to The Wall Street Journal. Biden said that he would sign the legislation if elected president.
The bill would harm the economy and make more workers vulnerable to union coercion, according to a WSJ editorial. House and Senate Democrats introduced the Worker Flexibility and Small Business Protection Act in September, a bill that would go even further than the PRO Act. (RELATED: 'Pro-Labor, Pro-Worker Administration': Labor Leaders Expect Union Resurgence Under A Biden Presidency)
Anderson said the Democrats in her group are "appalled" by Democrats' support for such legislation. Many freelancers see Biden's endorsement of such bills to be a "deal breaker," she added.
"If you're a freelancer, voting for Biden is like a tree voting for a chainsaw," Anderson told the DCNF.
The Gig Workers Collective, UFCW and Uber did not respond to requests for comment.
Tags : california gavin newsom uber
Thomas Catenacci
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Stephen Colbert (IPA: koʊlˈbɛər), född 13 maj 1964 i Washington, D.C., är en amerikansk skådespelare, komiker, författare, TV-värd och politisk satiriker. Han blev först känd som en av de medverkande i TV-programmet The Daily Show men fick senare sin egen show, den politiskt satiriska The Colbert Report, vilken har blivit mycket populär i USA. I programmet spelar han en karikatyr av en konservativ politisk tyckare med namnet Stephen Colbert. Tidningen Time utsåg 2006 och 2012 Colbert till en av årets 100 mest inflytelserika personer.

I april 2014 blev Colbert utsedd att efterträda David Letterman som programledare för CBS Late Show with David Letterman från och med år 2015, då Letterman gått i pension. Colbert är numera värd för CBS Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

Biografi
Colbert föddes i Washington, D.C. men växte upp i Charleston i South Carolina. Han är yngst av 11 barn i en katolsk familj. Hans far James Colbert och två av hans äldre bröder, Peter och Paul, dog i en flygolycka 11 september 1974. Efter olyckan flyttade Colbert tillsammans med sin mor Lorna Colbert och resten av familjen till förorten East Bay Street. Colbert hade vissa problem med omställningen ifrån att tidigare ha bott på landet och då han hade svårt att skaffa nya kamrater ägnade han istället mycket tid åt att läsa fantasyböcker och spela rollspel.

Colbert gick på Porter-Gaud School, som drivs av episkopalkyrkan, för att senare söka till Hampden-Sydney College och slutligen flytta till Northwestern University. Han studerade drama med inriktning mot improvisation.

Colbert är gift med Evelyn McGee-Colbert.

Källor

Externa länkar

Amerikanska komiker
Mottagare av Webby Awards
Personer från Charleston, South Carolina
Födda 1964
Levande personer
Män
Alumner från Northwestern University

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
[Photo of Susan Evans McClure (photo cred: Briget Ganske)]
[Vergennes, Vermont, November 29, 2018] Lake Champlain Maritime Museum (LCMM) is pleased to announce Susan Evans McClure is to become its new Executive Director in early 2019. "I am very much looking forward to my new role as Executive Director of LCMM. This opportunity allows me to bring together my experiences in museum education and administration, my passion for Lake Champlain's history, and my belief that learning about our past can inspire people to have an impact on their world today."
As Director of Programs and Audience Development at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, Susan worked with her team to inspire national conversations on the importance of the humanities in civic life, raised capital to support educational programming, and created a food history program that used food as a lens to understand American history.
"I am honored to lead Lake Champlain Maritime Museum into its next phase and expand the important role the museum can play in shaping public understanding of the past, present, and future."
Susan comes to LCMM from VSA Vermont where she has been the Executive Director since 2017. In her career she has worked for the Flynn Center for Performing Arts, Magic Hat Brewing Company, and Shelburne Museum. Susan takes over for current Executive Director Erick Tichonuk who has been with the museum for over 33 years.


Authorities in central Quang Ngai Province want more concessions for their Dung Quat oil refinery to match those given to a competitor.
In a petition to the government, the province Chairman, Tran Ngoc Cang, said the petroleum market is suffering from a supply overhang and low prices since a second refinery -- Nghi Son – went on stream.
By the end of September Thanh Hoa Province-based Nghi Son had sold nearly 1 million cubic meters of products, exacerbating the excess supply, though much of its products are going into warehouses rather than consumed, he said.
The current domestic supply would see it exceed demand by 0.8-1 million cubic meters in the case of each kind of product.
"Nghi Son oil refinery has been selling its products in the domestic market since May 2018, just when the market demand was low and the supply from imports and [Dung Quat] was high."
Quang Ngai authorities also listed the difficulties faced by Dung Quat, the country's first refinery, due to differences in tax policies applicable to import of crude oil by the two refineries.
The tax rate is 5 percent if the crude is imported from countries like Azerbaijan and Libya which do not confer most favored nation status on Vietnam.
However, Nghi Son imports without paying any import tax, which has greatly affected Dung Quat.
The Quang Ngai petition also has a table comparing the policies applicable to Dung Quat and Nghi Son.
One such policy provides Nghi Son with bonuses of 3 percent for petrochemicals, 5 percent for LPG and 7 percent for gasoline and oil for selling in the domestic market. Dung Quat is no longer entitled to these bonuses.
Dung Quat is struggling to upgrade or expand due to the lack of a government loan guarantee, the provincial authorities said.
The work has been delayed also because the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has yet to approve its environmental impact assessment despite complying with all the requirements.
Complaining that all this adds up to inequitable treatment for their refinery, the Quang Ngai authorities asked for the same preferential tax treatment as Nghi Son.
They asked for Dung Quat to be allowed to continue producing products meeting Euro 2 emission standard until its upgrade and expansion are completed.
They also wanted the government to give financial autonomy to enterprises to ensure they are competitive in the market.
Cang sought a replacement mechanism for the government guarantee so that the company could raise funds in the capital market and early approval for the environment report from the ministry.
Dung Quat was Vietnam's first oil refinery, built in 2009 at a cost of $3 billion. Its capital was increased to nearly $5 billion in 2015.


text:
require("should");
var validateBuyer  = require('../core/buyer-validator');
var validateSupplier = require('../core/supplier-validator');
var validatePurchaseOrderItem = require('./purchase-order-item-validator');
var validateStandardQuality = require('./standard-quality-test-percentage-validator');

module.exports = function (data) {
    data.should.not.equal(null);
    data.should.instanceOf(Object);

    data.should.have.property('iso');
    data.iso.should.instanceOf(String);

    data.should.have.property('RONo');
    data.RONo.should.instanceOf(String);

    data.should.have.property('PRNo');
    data.PRNo.should.instanceOf(String);

    data.should.have.property('PONo');
    data.PONo.should.instanceOf(String);

    data.should.have.property('RefPONo');
    data.RefPONo.should.instanceOf(String);

    data.should.have.property('article');
    data.article.should.instanceOf(String);

    data.should.have.property('buyerId');
    data.buyerId.should.instanceof(Object);

    data.should.have.property('buyer');
    data.buyer.should.instanceof(Object);
    validateBuyer(data.buyer);

    data.should.have.property('supplierId');
    data.supplierId.should.instanceof(Object);

    data.should.have.property('supplier');
    data.supplier.should.instanceof(Object);
    validateSupplier(data.supplier);

    data.should.have.property('usePPn');
    data.usePPn.should.instanceOf(Boolean);

    data.should.have.property('usePPh');
    data.usePPh.should.instanceOf(Boolean);

    data.should.have.property('deliveryDate');
    data.deliveryDate.should.instanceOf(Date);

    data.should.have.property('deliveryFeeByBuyer');
    data.deliveryFeeByBuyer.should.instanceOf(Boolean);

    data.should.have.property('paymentDue');
    data.paymentDue.should.instanceOf(Number);

    data.should.have.property('currency');
    data.currency.should.instanceOf(String);

    data.should.have.property('shipmentDate');
    data.shipmentDate.should.instanceOf(Date);

    data.should.have.property('PODLNo');
    data.PODLNo.should.instanceOf(String);

    data.should.have.property('standardQuality');
    data.standardQuality.should.instanceof(Object);
    validateStandardQuality(data.standardQuality);

    data.should.have.property('otherTest');
    data.otherTest.should.instanceOf(String);

    data.should.have.property('items');
    data.items.should.instanceOf(Array);
    for (var item of data.items) {
        validatePurchaseOrderItem(item);
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Greg was touring his album Punkoustic, a great collection of foot-stomping acoustic punk. 2019 sees the 5th anniversary of Punkoustic so, to celebrate, we – alongside No Reason Records and Loud, Broke and Dumb Records – finally gave this album a long overdue vinyl release.
Black vinyl, limited to – I think – 300 copies. These were pressed in Canada and I've only had a small amount shipped to the UK (via Canada Post charges and customs fees).


Pray for a greater heart to serve others!
Make Holy Week Eggs. You will need 12 empty plastic eggs. Number them 1-12. Inside each egg will go a Bible verse and an object to represent part of the precious Easter story. The eggs can be stored in a strawberry basket with a pipe cleaner handle.
Egg 6: Nails Acts 2:23, "This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men,put him to death by nailing him to the cross.


Hand-turned Pine Vessels with Turquoise Inlay by Robert Cherry, ranging in sizes from 4" to 20" high, are part of "Sculpted Nature: The Art of Hans Schiebold & Robert Cherry" opening with a reception for both artists on 1st Friday at Sedona's Lanning Gallery.
Originally Published: May 1, 2014 12:37 p.m.
Prominent artists are the focus in May as Lanning Gallery opens "Sculpted Nature: The Art of Hans Schiebold & Robert Cherry." Both artists are travelling to Arizona for the exhibition's opening on 1st Friday, May 2, from 5-8 p.m.
Fine artist Hans Schiebold paints landscapes with a medium rich in sculptural depth; Robert Cherry hand-turns elegant wood vessels. The joint exhibition highlights each of the artists' great skill and artistry while celebrating the complimentary qualities of their works.
Hans Schiebold's vision and the singular technique used to create his sculptural landscape paintings of heightened realism have secured him a listing in the "Who's Who in American Art."
Schiebold uses his own acrylic-based mixed media and unconventional tools: palette knives, spatulas, hand-shaped metal tools, sponges, nets, patterned rollers, anything that will create the pattern or texture he desires. His representational style continues to carry the influence of his early abstract paintings: Schiebold was active in the New York abstract art scene of the 1970s when his paintings were displayed in major museums and featured in international museum shows. His current work viewed closely shows these abstract roots while when viewed from afar geological scenes unfold in all their depth and glory.
Robert Cherry describes his artistic path as working with wood while also producing something different and new. To that end he succeeds with every vessel he creates. Cherry uses only downed pine and selects his "blanks" for their character, their natural defects, splits and cracks. Eventually these will be inlaid with turquoise or other accents.
Once Cherry has roughed out each vessel it is left to dry to a precise moisture content before the final shape is given to the vessel. A tool of his own making allows him to work at his remarkable interiors through only small top openings before applying subtle to near opaque colors to each vessel and working in his inlay. Layers of expertly added resin finishes each piece and gives each Cherry vessel its signature glass-like surface.
These are two artists whose personal innovation has allowed them to express their very individual artistry with undeniable success. Stop in on 1st Friday and meet Hans Schiebold and Robert Cherry; hear more about their skills and vision and enjoy a terrific springtime arts reception. Exhibition through May 11.
Visit Facebook for additional photos: Facebook.com/LanningGallerySedona; "Like" and definitely share your comments. Lanning Gallery, 928-282-6865, mail@lanninggallery.com, www.lanninggallery.com. Located at Hozho, 431 S.R. 179, Sedona. Open daily: 10-6 Mon-Sat; 11-5 Sun.


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Therefore, use, trade, and likelihood of confusion are three distinct elements necessary to establish a trademark infringement lawsuit. Some factors are much more important than others, and the relative importance of each individual factor will be case-specific. Some of the factors relevant to determining the likelihood of confusion will always be important, such as the similarity of brands and whether the two companies are direct competitors. When the two brands are completely different, there is no risk of confusion.
For example, Pepsi doesn't violate Coca-Cola. Even in situations where the brand of the complainant and that of an alleged infringer are the same, there can be no consumer confusion or trademark infringement if the alleged infringer is located in a different geographical area or in an entirely different industry. The more similar the markings are in terms of appearance, sound, and meaning, the greater the likelihood of confusion. When analyzing this factor, brands should be considered in their entirety and, as they appear in the market, similarities are weighted rather than differences.
Other ways to protect it include paying attention to other companies that use your trademark, refraining from turning your company name or trademark into a verb (such as "searching Google to refer to an Internet search"), using TM or SM to show others that you are entitled to that name, and using styles and bold fonts. While there are many nuances related to ownership and demand, proving that there is a likelihood of confusion is often the crux of a trademark infringement case. A trademark is a word, symbol, or phrase used to identify the products of a particular manufacturer or seller and distinguish them from the products of another. Even if you have used a trademark for years to distinguish your company from others, it is possible that third parties may be able to co-opt it in some way due to a lack of strength.
Due to the absence of bright line evidence, trademark disputes can rarely be resolved without consulting an attorney. To support a trademark infringement claim in court, the plaintiff must show that he owns a valid trademark, that he has priority (his rights to the trademark or marks are greater than those of the defendant), and that the defendant's trademark is likely to cause confusion in consumers' minds about the source or sponsorship of the products or services offered under the parties' brands. The designations "TM" (trademark) or "SM" (service mark) may be used to indicate a claim of ownership of a trademark, but the use of such designations does not confer legal rights. A plaintiff who demonstrates all elements of trademark infringement or "likelihood of confusion" can recover as damages any benefit received by the defendant as a result of his use of the trademark, any actual damages suffered by the plaintiff, and the costs of the lawsuit.
Similarly, it was discovered that the use of a pig-like character named Spa'am in a Muppet movie does not violate Hormel's rights to the Spam brand. Rights to a trademark may be lost due to abandonment, improper assignment or assignment, or genericity. This concept implies an unauthorized use of another person's trademark in products that do not compete with those of the trademark owner. A federal registration of a trademark may be obtained if the mark is used in the normal course of trade and, if it is a trademark, the products identified by the brand are sold or transported in the trade regulated by Congress or, if it is a service mark, the services identified by the brand are provided in that trade or are rendered in more than one state.
Alternatively, any trademark owner can file a lawsuit in state court, where the court can award trademark rights under federal or state law and common law. Intentional deception by the applicant to register a trademark constitutes fraud in obtaining a registration, and such a finding is likely to prevent the trademark owner from obtaining compensation. In the United States, the first person to use a name or symbol in commerce will have ownership of the trademark rights in the same. However, even if it seems that all elements of trademark infringement are met, it doesn't necessarily mean that you have a valid case.
https://www.kppblaw.com/trademark-infringement-elements/
Next postWhat is the main purpose of a trademark?
Brands like Apple, McDonald's and Dolce%26 Gabbana. Product names such as iPod and Big Mac.
Provides legal protection for your brand. Helps protect you against counterfeiting and fraud.
Trademark infringement is defined as the unauthorized use of a trademark or service mark. This use may be related to goods or services and may cause confusion, deception, or misunderstanding about the actual company from which a product or service originates.
Almost anything can be a trademark if you indicate the source of your products and services. It can be a word, a slogan, a design, or a combination of these.


Rebeccah Silence, owner of Inspired Results, is a world leader and facilitator of love. She is a survivor of abuse and cancer. Her teachings and mastery allow people to pinpoint the origin of their emotional pain. Rebeccah believes that pain patterns can heal. She believes that it is your right to live inspired, even in the most impossible moments and situations. Rebeccah is a teacher, speaker, trainer, writer, media personality, master coach and facilitator. You don't want to miss an opportunity to experience Rebeccah sharing her gifts with the world. Now is your time to live inspired, even in the impossible. Make your life your most inspired masterpiece. Let Rebeccah show you how.
Rebeccah received her training and certification as an Integrative Holistic Coach through the Legacy Training Institute. The 6-month program requires the completion of five weekend Legacy Seminars with a minimum of 1,500 coaching hours.


text:
Mississippi State Bulldogs vs. LSU Tigers Point Spread – Pick Against the Spread
Mississippi State Bulldogs (3-0 SU, 2-1 ATS) vs. No. 8 LSU Tigers (3-0 SU, 3-0 ATS)
Date and Time: Saturday, September 20th, 2014. 7:00PM EST
Where: Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, L.A.
Point Spread: MSST +10/LSU -10
The Mississippi State Bulldogs jumped out to a 3-0 start to their 2014 campaign last week with a 35-3 victory over South Alabama. Quarterback Dak Prescott has played exceptionally well through the first few games and is starting to get some national attention. The Bulldogs have been solid on both sides of the football and are out to prove that they will not be a doormat in the strongest division in college football that is the SEC West which houses 5 teams ranked inside the top 10. Mississippi States unblemished start will be put to the test as they embark on a brutal 3 game stretch against top 10 ranked teams. This Saturdays matchup may just be the most daunting of them all as the Bulldogs take a road trip, at night nevertheless, to Baton Rouge to battle the no. 8 LSU Tigers.
The 8th ranked Tigers started the season by beating no. 14 Wisconsin in a dramatic come from behind victory. The Tigers trailed 24-7 in the 3rd quarter but rallied to score 21 unanswered points to secure the impressive victory. Since that big opening win, the Tigers have pitched two straight shutouts against the likes of Sam Houston and UL Monroe winning by a combined score of 87-0. This week LSU prepares for their SEC opener against a very under rated Mississippi State football team. In fact, LSU coach Les Miles said it best early this week when he stated that Mississippi State should be a ranked team. Dont be fooled, Miles is not just trying to build up his opponent as coaches normally do to keep their players focused but he is being honest as the Bulldogs will present a difficult challenge on both sides of the football.
The Bulldogs currently sport the 11th best scoring defense in college football yielding just 12.3 points per game and own the 20th best scoring offense averaging 43.7 points per game. Sure the competition to this point has been suspect but Mississippi State is a good football team which is confirmed by the fact they are only 10 point underdogs this week on the road at LSU. Quarterback Dak Prescott is quickly becoming a star for the offense. Prescott has thrown for 696 yard with 9 scores and 2 picks through the first 3 games. The junior quarterback has also racked up 273 rushing yards at 6.8 yards per clip on the ground. Running back Josh Robinson has been equally impressive on the ground gaining 6.3 yards per touch with 288 yards on the season and 3 touchdowns. The Bulldogs rushing attack alone should present LSUs defense some problems especially when you consider the fact the Tigers defense was thrashed for 268 yards on the ground against Wisconsin.
Perhaps this week we will know for sure how strong LSUs defense will be in 2014. After giving up a ton of yards on the ground and 24 points to Wisconsin, the Tigers defense has not allowed a single point in 9 straight quarters. Last week the Tigers defense held UL Monroe to just 93 total yards for an entire game. Obviously those stats are against weak opponents but they are impressive nevertheless. It will be very interesting to see how this defense plays in their first big SEC matchup against a dynamic Bulldogs offense.
On the other side of the field, Mississippi States defense will have quite the challenge of stopping LSUs premier rushing attack led by Kenny Hilliard, Leonard Fournette, and Darrel Williams. All of LSUs running backs are averaging 5 yards per touch and have combined for 8 touchdowns through the first 3 games of the season. Hilliard is the experienced back and the guy the offense may rely on more heavily as the season progresses. However, everyone in Tiger land is excited to watch Leonard Fournette who was the nations no. 1 prospect out of high school last year. Fournette will get his share of touches and it is only a matter of time before everyone recognizes his name.
Jay's Pick to Cover the Point Spread: From a betting trends stand point, you can make a case for each team. Both LSU and Mississippi State are 3-0 ATS so far this season. The Bulldogs have covered in 7 of their last 8 games going back to last year and covered 5 of their last 6 games on the road. However, LSU is 14-3 ATS in their last 17 meetings with Mississippi State. Despite the trends, I think only one trend matters in this game. LSU is 57-7 SU at home under Les Miles. The Tigers will find a way to win this Saturday night. I would not take any action on the side but consider a play on the under once it is released regardless of what the number may be.


People v. D.M. - LaScola Law Offices, Ltd.
Home » Cases » People v. D.M.
Our client was arrested after blowing 2 stop signs. Upon being pulled over, he admitted drinking and made questionable statements to the arresting officer during the DUI Investigation. He agreed to perform the field tests, but then refused claiming numerous physical problems as the reason for his refusal. At the station, the breathalyzer test was refused and more remarks were made by the accused that caused the Officer to suspect impairment by alcohol. After a Bench Trial at the Daley Center, our client was found NOT GUILTY of the DUI and the minor traffic tickets.


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Eric Bana & Danny Huston Are 'Elvis & Nixon' for Director Cary Elwes
In what seems like it could almost be some kind of peculiar prequel to the Ron Howard directed drama Frost/Nixon, actor Cary Elwes, best known for his roles in films like The Princess Bride and Robin Hood: Men in Tights, will make his feature directorial debut with Elvis & Nixon, a film following the interesting visit that iconic musician Elvis Presley paid to President Richard M. Nixon at the White House on December 21st, 1970. THR has word on the film which has Eric Bana (Munich, Funny People) set to play "The King" with Danny Huston (X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Edge of Darkness) playing "Tricky Dick." More below!
Apparently Elwes also wrote the screenplay with Joey and Hanala Sagal as the story recounts the meeting between Presley and Nixon which came about after the musician wrote a six-page letter requesting the visit and even suggesting to be made a "Federal Agent-at-Large" in the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs (though I don't think that position meant what Presley though it meant). Upon meeting Nixon, the hip-swinging singer brought some family photos and a Colt 45 pistol which was given to Nixon as a personal gift. It certainly sounds like an interesting meeting, and with actors like Bana and Huston taking on the roles, I'm interested to see what they bring to the table since each of the men has very iconic and constantly exaggerated traits and mannerisms. Sound good?
Find more posts: Casting, Development, Movie News
They each may have many wonderful mannerisms, and they are both certainly very ecclectic performers, but neither is known for excelling at as many different mannerisms as Presley, both visually and vocally. Check his 10 major press conferences, he sounds different in each and making up, as few could, as many accents as he wanted, depending on the audience he faced. And he could imitate every singer under the sun, a ventriquolist extraordinaire who, at the end of the day, made those sounds his own, nailing it every time. Moreover, it is one thing to give Alexandre the Great, Napoleon, Mozart or even Nixon the mannerisms one wishes they had, and score brilliantly, than to attempt to give a credible performance from someone as well known to audiences, and as different looking each time, as is the case with Presley. What do people trying to impersonate Nixon have, in terms of filmed footage of the man, to analyze him? Well, I would say about 100, if not more press conferences and one major television appearance, at home, all of which showing the same politician, one who was always shy of the camera. By contrast, anyone who is expected to portray Presley, convincingly, must first examine his 15 major television appearances, a few press conferences, and his 33 films, two of which documentaries and all of them, to the last screen caption, showing a very different Presley in manner of speech, swagger. attitude and look. In spite of Presley being, according to the BBC, one of the world's most photographed individuals in history, the recreation of this event, inspite of it only being recorded in the 34 photographs taken that day, will in most likelihood run counter what those photographs show. Moreover, this incident was already the subject of a made for TV movie, with equally comic and disastrous results. In my humble opinion, the producers are wasting their time with this one unless they come up with a credible story behind the meeting, leaving the actual 30 minute meeting for the end.
Guillermo F. Perez-Argüello on Oct 24, 2011
Nixon was now so paranoid he thought the king of Rock and Roll was amassing a communist army with his music....
Jericho on Oct 24, 2011
im looking forward to this. three underrated very likable guys attached
Bcopes11 on Oct 24, 2011
Bana and Huston are not the names which come to mind for playing Presley & Nixon but there is something strangely interesting about this.
Andy on Oct 25, 2011


I love the D70. I am simply blown away by the capabilities and image quality. I have nothing against the drebel. I had some AF lenses for Nikon. I had used Nikon SLRs before with satisfaction. I bought a D70.
The battle rages on over on the 300d forum for a multitude of reasons. Some people (daniella) would have you believe you can't get a good picture form the camera. Obviously not the case. Look at Torwong Salwala's (howhow) images from Asia. Simply stunning.
It's complete sillyness. The best piece of technology you can get for better picutres is a good alarm clock. If you go to a time and place where the good images are, your Nikon D70 will capture them.
On moire, I won't deny it happens. Although infrequently, if I were a architecture photographer, I'd buy the drebel. But, why the hell would I ever take picture of a building. I'd rather look at Phil's crayon picts than building images. But that's just my taste.


text:
Leap Gets Personal
The Communication Issue
The Inclusion Issue
The Support Issue
The Game-Changers Issue
The Partnership Issue
The Progress Issue
Research Rockstar
Why I Donate
My Leap
The Insider Issue
Tai chi and qigong help provide balance
Practising traditional martial arts can help patients and survivors slow down but keep active
By Linda E. Carlson, PhD
I've talked about a wide range of complementary therapies in this column over the years – from meditation and yoga to acupuncture, creative therapies and natural health products like herbs and vitamins. But what about those more esoteric martial arts you occasionally see people practising in movies or out in the park? The two most common are tai chi and qigong, both derived from traditional Chinese medicine. Increasingly, they have been studied as potentially helpful practices for people living with cancer.
Tai chi is a shortened name, from tai chi ch'uan, a form of martial art derived from traditional Chinese medicine. It is actually a sub-set or adaptation of the older qigong practices, and involves a series of slow, specific movements or "forms," done in a meditative fashion. It is purported that focusing the mind solely on the movements of the form helps to bring about a state of mental calm and clarity. Over the years, the practice itself has been separated from its martial arts roots, and is now widely taught as a gentle practice and exercise.
A number of studies have even considered its usefulness for cancer patients. A review of seven controlled trials in breast cancer concluded tai chi may help to improve psychological and physical health factors, like mood, quality of life and anxiety. In elderly people, a larger body of research supports its efficacy for improving balance, preventing falls and improving overall psychological well-being.
Similarly, a growing body of research suggests the efficacy of qigong, a practice of aligning breath, movement, and awareness for exercise, healing, and meditation. Qigong is traditionally viewed as a practice to cultivate and balance qi (chi) or "intrinsic life energy." Qigong practices are often simpler and more repetitive than tai chi forms, which can take many months to learn, and exercises generally have three components: a posture (whether moving or stationary), breathing techniques, and mental focus on guiding qi through the body. While not as common in Western societies as tai chi, qigong is very common in the East, and medical qigong is widely used as a health practice throughout China. A review of the literature, including Chinese and Korean databases, found 23 studies in cancer care. The most consistent benefits were seen on immune system function (reduced inflammation), improved mood, quality of life and fatigue.
So where can you go to try some of this? Unfortunately at the moment we do not offer classes through AHS Cancer Control, though we are planning some clinical trials of medical qigong in the future.
In the meantime, to find a local class, try the Western Canada Taoist Tai Chi Society. Medical qigong is available through Dr. Stephen Aung in Edmonton, and through practice groups around the province. Additionally, Wellspring Calgary offers both tai chi and qigong to cancer patients and survivors for no charge. Read more about the facility here.
Dr. Linda Carlson (lindacarlson.ca) is the Enbridge Chair in Psychosocial Oncology at the University of Calgary and a clinical psychologist at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre.
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Central Yharnam is home to imagery both terrifying and tranquil, with a complex network of cris-crossing roads, paths and bridges, Home to blood ministration and massive churches, Yharnam is haunted and yet, at times, disarmingly beautiful.
City area with intricate maze of bridges and structures in the center of Yharnam. Very large and complex, with many shortcuts and secret paths. Exploring and finding hidden routes is essential. Many of Yharnam's residents have locked themselves inside their homes for fear of the beasts.
The world of Yharnam is full of secrets and surprises waiting for the curious and careful Hunter. Search every nook and cranny, and even listen for cues that might signal something, or someone, interesting. Many boxes, crates and other objects can be destroyed, leading to hidden items to aid you in your quest, or even shortcuts and hidden areas with more to explore.
Gilbert can be found in Gilbert's House right next to Central Yharnam Lamp, you can hear his coughing when nearby.
If you're playing online, and made it to the Cleric Beast but were defeated, it's worth returning to the Hunter's Dream so that you can acquire the Beckoning Bell if you have not already done so. When you then make your way back through The Plaza you'll notice a new brightly lit message just to the side of the central fountain (a similar one can also be found just down the stairs from Gilbert's Gate if you're coming from that direction). This message gives you a hint about using the Bell to call for assistance if you're having trouble. Doing so will summon aid, in the form of Father Gascoigne. From that point on he will stay with you until you either reach the Canal area, or face the Cleric Beast. He's a powerful ally, so once you have him at your side it's well worth taking the time to lead him to any enemies that are still alive in the area, as he will help to dispatch them. This is especially worthwhile if you've yet to go through the Bridge Residence to unlock Gilbert's Gate.
Henryk in Tomb of Oedon: Old Hunter Henryk will be located in Tomb of Oedon as part of the Eileen the Crow quest. Speak to her outside of Oedon Chapel in Cathedral Ward after opening the gate to round plaza, before triggering the nighttime by examining the skull in Grand Cathedral, and she'll tell you about Henryk, her current assassination target. If you head straight to Father Gascoigne's boss area after Eileen warns you about Henryk, he will attack you immediately and Eileen will arrive partway through the battle to assist you. If you reload the game after receiving Eileen's warning, she will already be fighting Henryk when you arrive.
Sinister Bell Ringer (Online): Bell Ringer is located at Dry Dock - Rafters in side area with Eileen. When "bell-ringer woman" is present, versus PvP invasions are possible.
Central Yharnam | Bridge Residence: When the hunt began, the Healing Church left us, blocking the great bridge to Cathedral Ward, as Old Yharnam burned to the ground that moonlit night.
Central Yharnam | Oedon Chapel Basement: The Byrgenwerth spider hides all manner of rituals, and keeps our lost master from us. A terrible shame. It makes my head shudder uncontrollably.
Old Hunter Father Gascoigne: Summoned by the fountain past the burning effigy the townsfolk gather around. (Note: This is now the ONLY place he can be summoned from, as they removed the location by the Central Yharnam lamp behind the shortcut door. He will use Silencing Blank if you enter the sewer.
This works before you initiate Father Gascoigne's boss battle, but after you start the boss battle against him, he can no longer be summoned for this fight.
Old Hunter Alfred: Summoned by the Gilbert's House down the stairs shortcut from Central Yharnam lamp.
You must have spoken to Alfred and agreed to cooperate with him. If you shift time into the Night, Alfred moves to his new position outside the Forbidden Woods, his summon signs disappear and won't be available for the boss fight.
Pick up the Torch in the Plaza.
Kill the Cleric Beast to acquire the Sword Hunter Badge and gain Insight to allow character leveling in the Hunter's Dream.
Enter the Dry Docks to acquire the Saw Spear.
Get the Saw Hunter Badge from the Boar Tunnel.
Kill Father Gascoigne to acquire the Oedon Tomb Key so you can reach the Cathedral Ward.
Open the chest at the end of the Chapel Path to get the Blood Gem Workshop Tool.
Upon reaching the top of the ladder you'll find yourself outside Gilbert's house, by the Central Yharnam Lamp. If you have not yet been to the Hunter's Dream to collect your weapons, use the Lamp here to do that now, because proceeding without them would be extremely difficult. Gilbert knows the area well and often has hints about places that you may want to investigate, so it's worth checking back with him often. After you've been to the Hunter's Dream you can also return to the Clinic and speak with Iosefka to get a potent healing item.
As you approach the Overpass you'll be able to pick up a number of Pebbles that you can use to quietly get the attention of an enemy, or separate one from a group. A Huntsman will attempt to ambush you when you reach the other side of the Overpass, so don't run ahead too quickly. Once you've dealt with him you can either head down the stairway, or drop through a gap in the railings for a small shortcut.
When you get to the top of the stairs overlooking Main Street, you'll, notice a large group of Huntsmen slowly making their way up the street. While you can wait until they're much further up the street before proceeding, it's best to deal with them sooner rather than later, so that you don't accidentally run into them further along the street. Wait until they're just past the bottom of the stairs, and then use a Pebble to attract one of the rear enemies and separate it from the group; once it's down, do the same thing again for one or two more until you feel comfortable finishing off any that remain.
If you go back in the opposite direction that the group of enemies was moving in, you'll come to a gate that you passed shortly after exiting the Clinic, and you can open it now for an alternate route back to Gilbert's house. Also in this area is a small dead-end alley, where a dangerous Executioner lurks. This enemy can be very difficult to beat at such an early stage in the game, and since there's nothing to be gained from entering the alley, it's recommended that you avoid it until you're stronger.
Heading straight up Main Street to the Hunter's Flame area will mean fighting a large group of enemies while dealing with ranged attacks - a daunting task if you're just starting out. An easier approach is to go up the small set of stairs behind the wagon on the right and take the path along the side of the main area. Kill the enemy at the bottom of the stairs before he wakes up, and head up into the small side area to the right to pick up a very useful weapon upgrade material - just be mindful of the enemy that will try to ambush you there. You can use this item to upgrade your weapon at the Workbench in the Hunter's Dream, so make sure you return often to keep your weapon as strong as possible. As you continue along the path, a bell will ring that causes the enemies in the Hunter's Flame area to begin their patrol routes. Some of them will then come up one of the central sets of stairs behind you, so be ready to face them.
At the end of the stairs there's a small opening in the railings on the left, and this position gives you an excellent vantage point over the entire area. If you're apprehensive about engaging the enemies, it's possible to get through while only fighting a single Rabid Dog There are two groups of two enemies that patrol the area ahead of you, so watch their movements, and when they're nearing their furthest point away from the carriage, drop down. Move up until you can see the dog and use a Pebble to lure it towards you so that you can kill it away from any other enemies. If you timed things correctly you should now be able to walk up the stairs that are near the dog and continue along under the archway to the Plaza. If you run up the stairs the Huntsman on the carriage roof will hear you, so it's important to walk.
Just past the stairs leading down to the Plaza you'll see a row of objects on the left side of the area, some of which can be broken to reveal a hidden gap in the railings; using your weapon to break the objects is recommended, to avoid accidentally rolling through the gap. Dropping down through the gap will take you to the Kennels, bypassing the Great Bridge and allowing you to either progress to the Dry Dock or work back around to create an easy path back up to Gilbert's Gate. You can also knock on the door of the house near the shortcut to speak to one of the local residents and hear their thoughts on outsiders.
After heading into the Plaza you should first go to the left and take out the three Carrion Crows there. Individually they are fairly weak, but if they surround you they can be dangerous, so it's best to go in swinging and try to kill them as quickly as possible - then break the coffins they were guarding and claim the hidden item. Next, cross over to the other side of the Plaza, where you finally find out what's been pounding on the gate this whole time. The Huntsman's Minion hits hard, but since it has its back to you, you can run up behind it and get close enough to hit it with a charged R2 attack as it is turning around. If you then follow up with a transform attack combo to keep it off balance, you can nearly kill it before you need to back off and let your stamina recover. Once it's dead, make sure you pick up the Torch, and then continue up the stairs towards the Well.
The Well can be difficult, especially if you run straight up the stairs, but if you're patient and tactical it can be done relatively safely. At first glance it appears that you only have to deal with one Rabid Dog patrolling the area between the top of the stairs and the Well; and another stationary one. When you reach the top of the stairs, however, a large group of enemies including a sniper and another Rabid Dog will come down the stairs. Try to deal with the two dogs that are already in the area first. Start by running up the stairs to the patrolling one and killing it as quickly as possible, and then throw a Pebble at the stationary one at the back if it hasn't spotted you already. Run back down the stairs so that it follows you, allowing you to kill it out of the patrolling group's line of sight.
Next, run back up the stairs so that the sniper and one or two of the patrolling enemies spot you, and then retreat again. Once the Huntsman with the rifle spots you he will rarely change position, so you can use the railings and the wall to the side of the stairs as cover from his shots, to avoid worrying about him while fighting the others. Repeat this tactic for any other patrolling enemies, and then move up and take out the rifleman. Finally, if you did not kill the Huntsman's Minion that was pounding on the door at the Plaza, it will approach from behind when you enter the Well area, so make sure you're prepared for it.
When you reach the top of the bridge, you can cross straight over it to find this small overlook area, where you'll be able to replenish your Pebble supply and pick up another Blood Stone Shard. You can drop off the ledge to get back down to the Hunter's Flame area if you wish, and if you've killed all the enemies then this can be a good time to head back and upgrade your weapon On the opposite side of the area there's an alley leading to another ledge that you can drop off; you'll land on a series of wooden platforms. These will lead you down to the Aqueducts, where you'll be able to find some useful items, and if you wish to return there's a series of ladders that you can use to climb back up.
Upon dropping down to the walkways above the Aqueduct, you'll be able to see a number of Large Huntsmen patrolling around the area, so try to watch their routes and pick them off one at a time to keep the fights manageable. If you're confident in your shooting skills, interrupting their attacks so that you can stagger them for a visceral attack is by far the quickest way to dispatch them. Near the opposite end of the Aqueducts there's a beam with an item on it about halfway down the wall, and if you line yourself up carefully you can drop onto the beam to retrieve it Once you're on the beam, drop down again and kill the Labyrinth Rats below you quickly, because another Large Huntsman is around the corner nearby and you'll want to face him one-on-one When the area is clear, go around the corner and pick up the Attire set the Large Huntsman was guarding, and then either backtrack along the Aqueducts and use the ladders to reach the Main Street Overlook, or drop down to the Canals and use the ladders there to get back to the Great Bridge via the Plaza.
Climbing this ladder will take you up to another small area above the canals, and if you head around to the right you can fight your way through a group of Carrion Crows to reach an item After crossing the bridge there's a door on the right that you can knock on to speak with one of the local residents. In the opposite corner there's yet another ladder that will take you up towards the Plaza, but standing below it is a Huntsman's Minion; thankfully he has his back to you, so you can sneak up and use a charged attack to stagger him from behind. Next to the gate at the top of the ladder you'll notice a glow coming from the window, and if you approach it you can talk to the Young Girl inside the house If you want, you can offer to help look for missing mother, and to help aid your search she'll give you the Tiny Music Box, which is useful in an upcoming boss battle.
As you make your way along the Great Bridge you'll encounter two Scourge Beasts. These can be very dangerous enemies, especially when you have to face two of them at once. Running straight up and fighting them head on can be problematic because of how aggressive they are, so if you want to fight them on the bridge, it's a good idea to weaken them from a distance with Molotovs, or Throwing Knives if you have any. Alternatively, you can run past them and head into the Bridge Residence, where you'll be able to fight them in relative safety using long ranged attacks, since they cannot pass through the doorway.
Opposite the Bridge Residence you'll find a set of crumbled stairs near some breakable objects. You can drop down from here, making for another shortcut to the kennels area. This will allow you to skip going through the residence and dealing with the Cleric Beast if you wish, but is not recommended for your first time through the area.
Going through the residence will allow you to reach and unlock Gilbert's Gate and create an extremely useful shortcut back to the Great Bridge and later sections of the area; opening this shortcut is strongly recommended before you attempt to fight the Cleric Beast, so that you can quickly return if you're defeated. The residence itself is extremely dark, so it's worth equipping the Torch you acquired in the Plaza. There are two enemies hidden behind objects on the top floor - take them out first before proceeding downstairs. You'll be attacked by an enemy at the bottom of the stairs, so make sure you're ready for him, and then turn and start making your way towards the glowing item at the back of the room. When you get close you'll see a lifeless body in a wheelchair, but this enemy will spring to life when you walk past it for the item, so start attacking it as soon as you're in range.
After exiting the residence you'll need to run up some stairs (taking out an enemy and picking up the Blood Stone Shard along the way) to reach the switch at the top, so that you can finally unlock this gate Once unlocked, you'll have a quick route from the Central Yharnam Lamp to both the Great Bridge and later sections of the area, making it the most important shortcut in the area.
The final obstacle blocking your path to the end of the bridge is a group of enemies consisting of a Huntsman's Minion and three Carrion Crows. Conserving resources for the upcoming Boss fight is important, so it's best to try and separate the enemies to make the fight easier. To accomplish this, throw a Pebble at the Minion to lure it back towards you and fight it away from the other enemies; if you still have Throwing Knives left they can also be very useful for killing it as it tries to close in. Once it's down, move up and take out the remaining enemies before pushing onwards.
Although this boss is optional, just encountering it gives you 1 Insight point, which will open the ability to level up your character back at the Hunter's Dream if you have not already done so. Even if you're defeated by the boss, you'll be able to gather up some Blood Echoes and increase your level before attempting it again, and on your second attempt you can summon Father Gascoigne to make the fight much easier if you're online. Upon defeating the Boss, the Great Bridge Lamp will appear, which you can use to return to the Hunter's Dream to level up using the Cleric Beast's Blood Echo bounty, and from there return to the Central Yharnam Lamp to continue.
When you reach the steps at the top of the Wide Terrace you'll see two Huntsman's Minions patrolling the area below. Since fighting them both at the same time is very dangerous, you should try to separate them. One of them sometimes gets closer to the stairs than the other one, so if you stand roughly halfway between the stairs and the corner of the nearby building it should see you and come running. Lure this first one back to the stairs and kill it there, before moving up and finishing off the other one. At the far end of the Wide Terrace is an elevator that isn't usable yet, so follow the path up the stairs on the right. If you turn right again at the top of the stairs and go under the bridge, you'll be able to unlock another door on the bottom floor of the Bridge Residence, which will allow you to skip the Wide Terrace altogether on subsequent trips through the area.
There are a large number of caged Rabid Dogs in this area, and it's important to kill them as you come to them, because if left alone they will burst out of their cages when you reach the Canal Bridge and attack you from behind. Kill the two dogs on the upper part of the area first, and then go down the stairs and kill the two just to the left, before taking out the last two on the way to the bridge. Just before the bridge you'll be able to take a path to the left, where you'll see an item sitting on the ground near the end. Before picking it up, continue around the corner and take out another Rabid Dog that's hiding there.
As you cross the Canal Bridge you'll see another Rabid Dog barking angrily at a door, so run up and take it out while it's distracted With the area now clear you can knock on the door the dog was interested in and speak with the Lonely Old Woman in the house. It turns out she's looking for a safe place to spend the night while the hunt is on, but since you know of no such place at this time, you can't help her yet. It's important to remember this location, however, so that you know to return once you do find a sanctuary.
Upon entering this building you'll notice a large set of stairs directly ahead, and while that is the obvious way to proceed, there is another, more lucrative way. Before progressing, however, it's worth approaching the top of the stairs and taking out the Large Huntsman that starts walking up them. Once he's down, break through the barrels and crates at top of the stairs to reveal an opening that you can drop through to reach the rafters. As you look out across the rafters you'll notice some more barrels on the right-hand side about halfway along. These are blocking another doorway that you can go through to reach a balcony, where you'll find the Eileen the Crow. If you go through all of her dialogue she will give you some items and a Gesture before telling you to continue with your hunt. Back in the main room you'll notice two bodies hanging from the ceiling with items on them, but since they're too far out of reach, you need to break the chains holding them, so that they drop down to the floor below. Wide-arcing, long-range attacks are generally your safest option for breaking the chains, but you can also shoot them if you have the bullets to spare When you're ready to proceed, go to one of the walkways around the outskirts of the rafters and drop down to the upper floor from there, taking care that you don't accidentally drop down to the lowest floor.
If you killed the Large Huntsman on the stairs when you first entered, you should only have to contend with two more of them on this floor: one stationary one with his back to you on the same side as the stairs, and another patrolling on the opposite side. If the one near the stairs has not detected you yet, you can walk up slowly and use a charged attack from behind; make sure you finish him off quickly, however, because a Huntsman armed with a rifle will come running out onto the walkway near the exit and start firing at you shortly after that. Once the Large Huntsman is down, run up to the Huntsman, using the pillars and coffins for cover, and kill him before going after the final Large Huntsman. The items on the bodies that you chopped down from the rafters are on either side of the central canal on the lower floor, meaning that you need to pick a side to drop down to get the first item you want. If you stand with the stairs to your back, it's recommended that you drop down onto the left side of the canal below, so that you can get the Saw Spear first.
There are a lot of Labyrinth Rats in the alcoves here, so kill them as you come to them, before picking up the Saw Spear. Once you have it, look to the back of the canal, where you'll find another alcove with some rats in it; drop down and take them out so that you can get the item they were guarding. To get the remaining item that you chopped down earlier you'll need to exit the Dry Dock and climb the ladder outside, so that you can get back to the Upper Floor, and then drop down again on the other side There are more rats in the alcoves on that side too, so deal with them first before going for the item.
The ladder here leads up to the Canal Walkways, which you can use to re-enter the Dry Dock to get the remaining item on one of the bodies you chopped down from the Rafters Before you start exploring the area, however, you'll need to deal with two-rifle carrying Huntsmen and a patrolling Large Huntsman. The Huntsmen with the rifles are the biggest initial threat, so try to use the statues on the sides of the nearby bridge to block their shots as you move in to take them out. Once they've been dealt with you can focus your attention on the Large Huntsman without having to worry about incoming gunfire.
If you follow the walkways along you'll be able to get some more items, as well as take out a large number of Carrion Crows that would otherwise drop down onto you if you were to run along the Canal below. Near the end of the walkway you can cross another bridge, where you'll find two more crows pecking away at a wooden coffin. Kill the crows and destroy the coffin to reveal the item that was hiding behind it The final item in this area is dangling precariously on a beam below, so you need to line yourself up carefully and drop down onto it to retrieve it If you miss the beam, simply climb the ladder and work your way back around to try again.
At the end of the small canal is a wooden platform sticking out over an adjoining canal, from which you can access a ladder that leads up to the Canal Residence. If you look down below the platform you'll see an item surround by a large number of Rotted Corpses, and while they're dormant now, some of them will come to life when you get close to them, and the remaining ones will do so after you pick up the item. Try to finish off all of the ones that come to life when you drop down before picking up the item, so that you don't have to contend with them all at the same time. Once they've all been defeated, continue up the canal while taking out the enemies as you come to them.
After descending the stairs in the canal, make sure you go into the small alcove on the right and get the Blood Stone Shard to help further upgrade your weapons Just past that alcove you'll have to defeat some more Rotted Corpses, and there are also two Carrion Crows sitting on a beam; use Pebbles or your gun to knock them down so that you can fight them. At the end of the canal, just to the right of the Boar Tunnel, you'll find a ladder that you can use to access the Ambush Bridge above. Head up the ladder and activate the elevator to create a shortcut back here, and then decide whether to tackle the Boar Tunnel or the Ambush Bridge first.
When you approach the entrance to this tunnel you'll see a large Maneater Boar at the other end guarding a pair of items. If you stay at the entrance to the tunnel the beast will eventually charge straight at you, and you can avoid this by stepping to one side as it draws near, after which you'll be able to turn around and attack it from behind. Or, with a full bar of Endurance, if you sprint straight towards it as soon as you enter the tunnel you can get behind it before it has time to charge Once the beast is dead and you have the items, head back down the tunnel and up the ladder. Alternatively, if you crossed the Ambush Bridge first, you can climb down the ladder at the end of the bridge and sneak up behind the boar for an easy kill.
Before you start crossing the bridge, make sure you've gone into the small building on the left and activated the elevator inside, as that will give you a straight path between here and the Central Yharnam Lamp - especially handy since there's a boss coming up. When you start crossing the bridge you'll notice a group of enemies on the other side, along with a mysterious ball just behind them; continue across the bridge until the enemies catch sight of you, and then backtrack quickly into one of the side alcoves along the bridge. A Huntsman with a torch will soon set the bale of hay ablaze and then a Huntsman's Minion will kick it along the bridge, killing any enemies in its path; make sure you're off to the side so that you don't get caught up in the destruction. Finish off any remaining enemies before crossing the bridge. After going up the first set of stairs leading on from the bridge you'll come to a small area with two enemies standing around an item; try to sneak up on them so that you can use a charged R2 and Visceral Attack follow-up on one of them to get an early advantage in the fight.
The only thing standing between you and the next area now is Father Gascoigne, and if you've fully explored Central Yharnam you should have been able to upgrade your weapon to +2, which will aid you greatly in the battle. If you spoke to the Young Girl and got the Tiny Music Box after offering to find her mother, you can use it periodically in the fight to briefly disorientate Gascoigne, allowing you to get some easy hits in. Once he's been defeated, a new Lamp will appear near the fountain - make sure to light it, but don't use it just yet. Follow the path around to the upper part of the area and drop down onto a small rooftop to find the Red Jeweled Brooch that the Young Girl said her mother was wearing The Brooch can be used to obtain a useful Blood Gem, or you can return it to the Young Girl.
When you're ready to continue, open the gate at the back of the area and continue along the path into the building at the end, and then climb the ladder to reach the small library room above. A small note containing some information that will help you piece together the mysteries surrounding the hunt can be found on one of the tables, so make sure to give it a quick read. There's also a chest near the door containing the Blood Gem Workshop Tool, which will let you fortify your weapons with Blood Gems back at the Workbench in the Hunter's Dream.


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New Labour Agreement to ease staff shortages: R&CA
28 August, 2015 by
The development of the Restaurant (Fine Dining) Industry Labour Agreement will help to address chronic labour shortages gripping the hospitality sector, says Restaurant & Catering Australia.
The Agreement has been negotiated with the federal government for the positions of cook and chef, and will also include trade waiters following the national endorsement of the occupation. It provides a tailored skilled migration arrangement for employers with specific occupation needs, defining employer obligations and the skills, qualifications and English language requirements overseas workers must meet in order to work in Australia.
R&CA CEO John Hart said the labour agreement has come at a critical time for the sector.
"The sector is currently experiencing a shortfall of 56,000 workers. Employment growth in the cafe, restaurant and take away food services sector will require an additional 43,700 jobs by November 2018. The rate of employment growth in this sector is expected to be higher than any other sector in the Australian economy, growing at around 8.5 percent," he said.
"R&CA's 2015 Benchmarking Survey found that 58.9 percent of businesses currently have vacancies with 24.6 percent indicating they were having extreme difficulty finding staff. Chefs, Cooks and Restaurant Managers ranked as the most difficult vacancies to fill.
"R&CA has long advocated for a labour agreement that will streamline migration processes and provide businesses with access to semi- and high-skilled labour."
Under the agreement, businesses will be required to meet a set of criteria in order to access skilled staff including having an la carte menu, having uniformed staff and a matre d', and having achieved industry recognition through award programs.
The agreement will also provide a concession on the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) of 10 percent, in-line with recommendations of the independent review of the 457 visa program.
"This moderate concession means it will be more feasible for operators to hire overseas workers, should they be able to demonstrate they have experienced prolonged vacancies in their businesses," Hart said.
"With skilled migration also comes job creation for local Australians. The reality is most businesses find it difficult to remain open when they cannot find suitably trained staff. The facilitation of a small number of skilled workers under this agreement will ensure businesses remain open, are productive, and have the capacity to hire and train local workers.
In 2014-15, the Accommodation and Food Services industry was the largest user of the 457 Temporary Work (Skilled) visa program, with 4,350 applications granted. Cooks, Caf and Restaurant Managers, and Chefs ranked in the top 15 nominated occupations for primary applications in 2014-15.
"The more we embrace skilled migration and blend the experience of these workers with that of our local workforce, I have no doubt our sector will continue to go from strength to strength," said Hart.
chefs,
foodservice,
industrial relations,
industry bodies,
Restaurant and Catering Australia,
Bondi Pizza prepares for Broadway opening
WA Best Steak Sandwich finalists named
Jerry Mai's new Melbourne venue
FIA Awards for Excellence winners announced


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Salary Survey 2015 (4)
Career News (89)
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Sky's top marketer Stephen van Rooyen takes on broader role as UK and Ireland CEO
Published: 24 Mar 2016 By Leonie Roderick
Sky has promoted its chief marketing and digital officer Stephen van Rooyen to role of chief executive for the UK and Ireland following a number of internal management changes.
The news comes after Nicola Mendelsohn, Facebook's vice president for EMEA, announced at The Guardian's Changing Media Summit yesterday (23 March) that he had recently been promoted. When asked what his new role title was, he answered "chief exec".
READ MORE: Sky's Stephen van Rooyen talks Wiggins and winning
Sky is currently in the midst of a management restructure in a bid to strengthen its operations across its international markets. It announced earlier this week that its chief finance officer Andrew Griffith would be expanding his responsibilities and taking on the role of group chief operations officer.
Van Rooyen's role has now also been expanded. He will assume overall leadership of its consumer and business divisions while remaining in charge of the brand's marketing and digital activity. He will report directly into Sky's group CEO Jeremy Darroch.
Van Rooyen has held various marketing roles at Sky since joining the business in 2006. He has previously worked at brands including Virgin Media and News UK.
Sky's top marketer Stephen van Rooyen takes on broader role as UK and Ireland CEO This will open in a new window
Sky's Stephen van Rooyen talks Wiggins and winning This will open in a new window


Unfortunately, his followers did not fall for his prank and they sarcastically congratulated him to keep the fun going.
Recently Davido is spoiled himself for all his hardwork so far this year with a wristwatch whose price is enough to buy a duplex.
Davido will be relocating to Banana Island after his new car, a Rolls Royce arrives Nigeria.
Check out the hilarious reaction of Super Eagles striker, Odion Ighalo's mum to his extreme workout routine. See the video below.
Is Musician Davido giving out his Rolls Royce?
Son of a billionaire father, David Adeleke aka Davido is sure living his best life at the moment.
The Bentayga may be the first ever mass-produced in-house Bentley SUV, but it is not the first SUV to wear the Flying B Badge.
A quick glance at Davido Porsche Carrera!
davido | Groupie Alert: Davido blows 2 million Naira on a piece of jewellery .
Bishop Daniel Obinim of the International God's Way Church has a thing for cars as I exclusively revealed May, 2014 by sharing his fleet of cars at home.


All insulation types are measured as an "R" value. The "R" stands for thermal "resistance". Since warm air moves towards cold air (that's wind!) it is a measure of how much a product resists heat moving through it. The higher the "R" value the better the insulating qualities. Therefore an R1.3 is lower in performance than an R1.6. The R1.6 has greater resistance to heat moving through it than the R1.3. Our recommendation is to go for as high an "R" value on your product of choice as you can, whilst taking a common sense approach towards "bang for buck". We can offer you some practical advise on this.
Be aware that insulation R-Values can be measured in two ways. One as a measure of the product as a stand alone item and the other as a 'system measurement'. The system measurement looks at how the product is installed and adds together components such as trapped air space, size of enclosed gap, house construction etc. Note that foils can only be measured this way as they work on reflection so the material itself offers very little thermal resistance. Looking at how a product will work in your home as a system is very important to getting the right result. A product may have a high R-Value but is this delivered in full to the your house once installed?